In The Global Trade Law Journal, Lincoln Tsang Analyzes the Rise of Deglobalization as a Threat to Global Health and International Trade in Essential Health Care Products

In a leading Global Trade Law Journal article*, partner Lincoln Tsang, head of the firm’s European life sciences practice, discusses the recent geopolitical tensions that are impacting the global economy and significantly disturbing global trade in goods, services and global collaboration efforts that may have an enduring effect of reversing the past 40 years of efforts in economic integration in favor of national protectionism.

Lincoln explains that globalization through international trade policies and agreements has a large impact on the pharmaceutical and medical technology industries. They rely on international trade and an interconnected global economy to research, develop and manufacture critical pharmaceutical and health care products to benefit citizens worldwide. Global collaboration facilitates development of global health security and surveillance systems to enable detection, rapid response and prevention of public health threats of emerging infectious diseases.

He notes that in the life sciences sector, there has been a rise of countries adopting localization barriers against foreign pharmaceutical and medical technology companies by favoring local manufacturers.

The international trade jurisprudence establishes the fundamental principle that seeks to avoid unjustified protectionism in the application of internal measures to ensure equality of competitive conditions between imported and like domestic products.

The recent trade disputes would likely increase the cost of goods and prices and may potentially disrupt supply chains of materials and goods necessary for research and development and manufacturing.

* The Global Trade Law Journal. 2025, Vol. 2, No. 5, pp. 289–300